President’s Speaker Series features lessons from local women leaders

By Walter Ryce

President Vanya Quiñones’s final event of the President’s Speaker Series of the 2024-25 academic year is on April 24. Titled "Strengthening Community: Local Women Leaders,” it will feature a panel of influential local and regional women leaders from various sectors.

Moderated by Nizhoni Chow-Garcia, Cal State Monterey Bay's associate vice president for Community and Belonging, the panel will discuss paths to success, mentors and influences, overcoming barriers, and advice for aspiring leaders. The panelists include: 

• Deneen Guss, Superintendent of Monterey County Office of Education
• Kathryn Avila, Real Estate Entitlement, Investments and Special Projects Lead for Avila Construction Company; Board Chair of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
• Anna Velazquez, Mayor of Soledad and District Director for State Senator Anna Caballero
• Mindy Carpenter, Partner and Vice President of Finance for Axis Ag, Inc. 

“These remarkable women leaders exemplify the qualities we aim to foster in our students at Cal State Monterey Bay,” said President Quiñones. “Their diverse perspectives and powerful stories of success demonstrate how education and leadership create pathways of opportunity that strengthen the entire Monterey County region.”

This assembly of community leaders is expected to result in lively conversation in a forum that facilitates the sharing of insight, perspective and connection. 

All are welcome to attend this free event (parking permit must be purchased) 4 - 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the World Theater, 5260 6th Ave., Seaside.  More information and RSVP here.